Fall 2008 - Rutgers Alumni Association

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Contents Cover Story 10 Junot Díaz Junot Díaz found his literary muse at Rutgers, and now his career is headed for the stratosphere. Features 6 For Anne Milgram, Rutgers is an Open and Shut Case Rutgers helped chisel the leadership skills of class president Anne Milgram, who is today the state’s highest ranking law enforcement officer. 9 2008 Hall of Distinguished Alumni Hundreds of guests gathered at the Heldrich in New Brunswick to honor Rutgers’ newest inductees to the Hall of Distinguished Alumni. 13 Where Rutgers Meets the Community The RAA’s Community Service Committee is making an impact in New Brunswick and the surrounding area. 15 Not Your Average Spring Break Ten Rutgers students departed for the Deep South to rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. HDA AWARDS ANNE MILGRAM JUNOT DÍAZ Rutgers Alumni Association 177 Years of Service to Rutgers Alumni Founded in 1831, the Rutgers Alumni Association is a service organization maintained by and for the graduates of Rutgers College, the Colleges of Engineering and Agriculture, the School of Education, the Mason Gross School of the Arts, School of Management and Labor Relations, and the Graduate School – New Brunswick. Its purpose is to create a vital, beneficial, and continuing relationship between university and alumni. It organizes events such as Reunion Weekend, publishes 1766 to inform members about issues that concern them, provides access to benefits such as life and disability insurance, develops career seminars for graduates, and offers opportunities for volunteer service in all aspects of university life — from participation in governance committees to mentoring undergraduates. The fourth-oldest organized alumni group in the United States, the Rutgers Alumni Association is supported by more than 11,000 active members. President: Frank Hundley RC ’86 President-Elect: Cara Bufanio MGSA ’85 Vice Presidents: Ralph Zemel ENG ’69 Mel Silverstein RC ’59 Ken Johnson ENG ’66 Vice President and Corresponding Secretary: Melissa Daniel DC ’00, GMLR ’01 Treasurer: Heather Taylor RC ’89 Alumni Trustees Robert Frisch, Jr. RC ’78 George Rears RC ’89 Barbara Pollison-Beck DC ’82 Greg Bender ENG ’68 John Futey RC ’69, CLAW ’72 John Hugelmeyer RC ’72 16 Rutgers Reunion 2008 Bright blue skies provided the perfect backdrop for a fabulous weekend of fun and nostalgia for more than 1,300 returning alumni and guests. Departments 3 President’s Message 4 Loyal Sons & Daughters 8 Trustee Report 21 RAA Happenings 22 Sports Update 24 Calendar of Events SPRING BREAK REUNION 2008 Editor Randy Young RC ’68 Art Director Cara Bufanio MGSA ’85 1766 is published by the Rutgers Alumni Association P.O. Box 11320 New Brunswick, NJ 08906 Telephone: 732-932-7474 Fax: 732-377-2099 RAA Web site: www.RutgersAlumni.org Rutgers Web site: www.rutgers.edu Except for official announcements, the Rutgers Alumni Association disclaims all responsibility for opinions expressed and statements made in articles or advertisements published in this magazine. Vol. 27, No.2 2 1766 MAGAZINE
President’s Message BY FRANK HUNDLEY RC ’86 Iam honored and privileged to be the incoming president of the Rutgers Alumni Association at this significant time in our history. The RAA stands tall and proud as our nation’s fourth oldest alumni association. Since 1831, we have worked hard to form lifelong bonds between Rutgers and its alumni around the world. Today, we stand at a crossroads with respect to the university’s relationship with its alumni, and the role of alumni within the university. On July 1, 2008, with the Board of Governor’s endorsement, President McCormick created the Rutgers University Alumni Association (RUAA). All alumni are automatically members of this new association, regardless of campus or school attended, or degree attained. Furthermore, there is no dues requirement to maintain membership in the RUAA. I concede that Rutgers has needed this change for some time. For years, ours stood as the only major university in the country which did not have a single association providing a forum to unite all of its alumni under one tent. As its name might suggest, the RAA stood the closest to operating as a school-wide association, representing undergraduates and graduates alike across multiple schools within the university. Still, we represented only fifty percent of all New Brunswick/Piscataway alumni across eight schools, and just a third of all Rutgers graduates. I’m delighted that President McCormick asked me to serve on the inaugural board of the new RUAA. While I approach this new role with caution, I believe that my serving in dual capacities is in the best interest of Rutgers and the RAA for a number of reasons. First, the RAA has much to offer the new association, including its 177-year history of service from active members and volunteers. The university understands the need not to brush this legacy aside. Next, it is critical to the best interests of Rutgers — the university we love so deeply and dearly — for the RUAA to be a successful entity which brings together alumni with their alma mater in a way that is meaningful to both. Lastly, it is imperative that the RAA’s timehonored traditions — such as Loyal Sons/Loyal Daughters, Alumni Family Day, Reunion, Past President’s Council, and Old Guard — be appropriately preserved. Although I don’t officially represent the RAA on the new board, the RUAA will indirectly hear through me, as sitting president of the single largest “legacy” association, the voices of the thousands of RAA members and volunteers. As a result of major changes at the university level, we have instituted our own within the RAA. First, in accordance with the direction of the RUAA, we have agreed to permanently eliminate our dues structure. Participation in our association is now free and open to anyone with a connection to or interest in Rutgers. Second, we are now a fully volunteer driven association, maintaining our status as an independent 501(c)3 organization. We are of alumni, by alumni, and for alumni. Our niche within the RUAA is to offer new and existing alumni from the New Brunswick/Piscataway campus the chance to participate in a myriad of committees, which do everything from planning young alumni events and reaching out to current undergraduate students, to facilitating community outreach and coordinating our tremendously popular Alumni Family Day event. As a new school year gets underway, the RUAA is still a work in progress. Let me reassure all our members, however, that the RAA is fully functional and thriving, and will continue to deliver on its mission to provide strong and enduring ties between alumni and their alma mater. Indeed, an outpouring of opportunities still exist for our members to return to campus and become actively engaged. This participation is the engine for a lifetime connection with your alma mater, and I encourage and implore you to take advantage. The RAA wants and needs you! To participate in our activities or to become active as a volunteer, simply contact me (frank.hundley@alumni.rutgers.edu) or one of our officers or committee co-chairs. You can get a lot of good information, too, from our newly redesigned website, www.rutgersalumni.org. Oh, be sure to look for me this fall in Section 126 of Rutgers Stadium leading the “First Down” cheers. Go RU! 1766 Subscription Offer! Help the Rutgers Alumni Association continue to bring Rutgers' most engaged and active alumni the latest interesting insights and happenings within our alumni community and the university by subscribing to 1766 magazine. As an independent association, the RAA strives to bring it's members unique stories and information about the Rutgers community — as well as your friends and fellow alumni. Your $10 yearly subscription to 1766 will help the RAA maintain the excellence of our own magazine and offset some of the cost of sending it to all of our members. Send your $10 check, made payable to the “Rutgers Alumni Association”, to the address at right. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY, COMPLETE THIS FORM, AND ENCLOSE IT WITH YOUR CHECK. THANK YOU! NAME ADDRESS CLASS/YEAR CITY STATE ZIP PHONE WE’VE MOVED! Our offices are no longer located in Winants Hall. We’ve moved our headquarters to a corporate center just off campus, where we have dedicated staff and meeting space. Please make a note of our new contact information! Rutgers Alumni Association P.O. Box 11320 New Brunswick, NJ 08906 Phone: 732-932-7474 Fax: 732-377-2099 www.RutgersAlumni.org E-MAIL ADDRESS FALL 2008 3
Page 1: The magazine published by and for t
Page 5 and 6: The Loyal Son and Daughter Award re
Page 7 and 8: with responsibilities that range fr
Page 9 and 10: Rutgers Honors a New Class Of Disti
Page 11 and 12: (known as the “fuku”) which has
Page 13 and 14: Where Rutgers Meets the Community B
Page 15 and 16: Not Your Average Spring Break BY EL
Page 17 and 18: Under crystal blue skies, more than
Page 19 and 20: A Great Turnout for the Class of
Page 21 and 22: RAA Happenings Left: In April, RAA
Page 23 and 24: Rutgers at the Olympics Rutgers was

Fall 2008 - Rutgers Alumni Association

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